Tech gets former U.Va. commitment

When recruits start flip-flopping and reneging on a commitment to a school in order to commit to a rival program, you know you're in the real heat of football recruiting season.

Take tight end Darius Redman, for example.

In mid-June, he committed to Virginia and started referring to U.Va. as "tight end university" in interviews. Then, rumors started circulating that he might be looking around. Apparently, the rumblings were true.

Redman, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound recruit from H.D. Woodson High in Washington, D.C., has decided Blacksburg would suit him better as a college destination. He has committed to Tech and could possibly enroll this month.

In his senior season, he had 38 catches for 470 yards and five touchdowns. He joins Woodson teammate Adeboye Aromire as Tech commitments. Aromire, a 6-foot-0, 180-pound cornerback, committed in June and could also enroll this month.

Redman was recruited by Tech offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring and wide receivers coach Kevin Sherman. Redman is the 18th commitment for Tech's 2011 recruiting class. Feb. 2 will be the first day recruits can sign a letter of intent with a university.

He's the third tight end recruit to commit to Tech, which loses senior starting tight end Andre Smith, and has no other proven tight ends on its roster. Tech will also have to replace senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor, likely with redshirt freshman Logan Thomas.

Speaking of Taylor, a Hampton High graduate, he has received an invitation to play Jan. 22 in the 86th East-West Shrine Game in Orlando, Fla. For a guy looking to impress National Football League scouts, these postseason all-star games could come in handy.

Last season, former Tech players Kam Chancellor, Sergio Render and Stephan Virgil were on rosters for the Shrine Game. Taylor is the 11th Tech player to be placed on a roster for the game in the last six years.

Norm Wood covers the ACC for the Daily Press. His blog is at dailypress.com/accallaccess